Digital Commons Network^™

Motives And Community Energy: What Determines Participation In The U.S. And E.U., Belinda Litchtenfeld

Portugal: Sustainability and Environmental Justice

The shift to renewable energies has become a critical means of addressing the climate crisis. Community Energy (CE) has emerged as a ‘bottom-up’ transition to achieve decarbonization within a localized environment. The aim of this paper is to compare the motivations and framings of rural CE projects in the United States and European Union. The paper will compare the case of Loess Wind Farm, located in Rock Port, Missouri, with the Cedillo Solar Community in Caceres, Spain to determine how sociotechnical visions are shaped by the challenges facing communities. The elements of sociotechnical visions- meanings, knowings, doings, and organizings- as …

Size Matters: Linkage Between Bromeliad Traits And The Spider Communities They Host In A Disturbed Habitat, Alesandra Fairchild

Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation

Bromeliads are a plant group that have been praised for their ability to create unique microhabitats, hosting an abundant and diverse faunal community due to their unique structural characteristics. Unfortunately, as deforestation rates rise, this plant group is at risk of decreasing in both abundance and diversity, which puts their associated organisms at risk of losing essential habitat (e.g. spiders). In this study, the effect of bromeliad structural characteristics and forest disturbance was assessed in a mature and secondary forest by classifying bromeliad abundance by forest type, characterizing forest structure, and by analyzing spider abundance and diversity based on these …

Public Perception And Awareness Of Shark Nets In New South Wales, Drew Rosenfeld

Australia: Rainforest, Reef, and Cultural Ecology

Shark nets have been in use along the beaches of New South Wales since 1937, with the purpose of the nets to reduce human shark encounters near popular beaches. While the purpose of the nets is to protect personal safety, the nets also entangle and harm non target marine life. This study examined public perception and awareness of shark nets in NSW through a mixed method approach that utilized survey and interview data. In total, 201 surveys were administered on Bondi and Coogee beach. Five interviews were also carried out with key stakeholder groups. Results have shown that public perception …

What’S On The Menu? An Observational Study Of The Predatory Ecology Of Pseudochromis Fuscus, Navya Mittal

Australia: Rainforest, Reef, and Cultural Ecology

Understanding the foraging behaviour of small reef predators is important for determining how they influence reef fish and cryptobenthic community structure. This study examined the predatory behaviour of Pseudochromis fuscus, a mesopredatory reef fish known to consume high numbers of juvenile damselfish recruits. In contrast to previous studies, no successful captures of juvenile recruits were observed, despite numerous attempted strikes. Instead, benthic invertebrates appeared to be the primary food source across all three time periods examined (full moon, mass coral spawning, and new moon). Behavioural differences were observed among periods, with significantly higher pursuit attempts during the new moon, likely …

Rooted In Resilience: Exploring Indigenous Economic Models And Sustainability On The Rocky Boy Indian Reservation., Dominique Nault

Capstone Collection

This study examines how traditional practices and cultural values of the Chippewa Cree shape the economic identity and sustainability of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined demographic surveys with culturally grounded interviews, the research reveals that economic development in the community is inseparable from traditional knowledge systems, collective well-being, and ecological stewardship. Rather than centering on financial accumulations, wealth is defined by family, community, and cultural continuity, placing traditional knowledge on par with land and monetary resources.

Three central themes emerged from the data: (1) the enduring role of traditional values and cultural knowledge in …

How Effective Is HawaiʻS'S Sunscreen Ban? Tourism Impact On The Health Of KauaʻI'S Coral Reefs, Meghan E. Parker

Capstone Collection

This study seeks to determine whether the level of human-impact, and in particular sunscreen use, influences the health of coral reefs on the island of Kauaʻi. Six paired sites in different regions of Kauaʻi were identified, each having a human-impacted site and an isolated counterpart site. By obtaining quantitative data on the coral reef at each site using 25-meter video transects, the overall health of the reef was assessed by measuring live coral cover, coral species abundance, prevalence of coral bleaching, and fish abundance. The level of human-impact in the form of number of people present and type of sunscreen …

Shimmering Mirage Or A Promised Land? Climate Change, Agriculture, And Internal Migration In Sabha, Jordan, Tyler J. Rak

Capstone Collection

Given the rapidly shifting climate, high vulnerability, and low adaptability to climate related changes that rural areas face, this study highlights the complex relationship between climate change -- especially water scarcity -- agriculture, and internal migration in rural Jordan. I predict that if water scarcity is present and climate changes are occurring, they will undercut the rural agriculture sector which could contribute to rural out-migration. To study this relationship, I conducted a case study in Sabha, a small rural community in the Northern Badia of Jordan. Data was gathered by engaging in semi-structured interviews with current community members in Sabha …

Textile Work And Its Interface With Climate Change For Quechua Communities In Peru, Esmeralda Torres-Martinez

Capstone Collection

English – Indigenous communities have argued that their knowledge, lived experiences, and representation are crucial to address the climate transition because their communities have adapted to past climatic changes. Although climate change and culture can be interconnected in ways that are unique to each community, little research is done on how cultural practices can be catalysts for climate action. In fact, communities around the world have sparked socio-political movements from within their cultural context to solve both local and global issues. Therefore, this research asks how the practice of traditional textile making and weaving assist Quechua communities with adapting to …

Justicia Ambiental Y Extractivismo: Un Análisis Del Conflicto Petrolero Offshore En Mar Del Plata, Lily Hui

Argentina: Social Movements and Human Rights

No abstract provided.

Butterflies And Climate Change Evaluating Biodiversity Through Bioindication In A Western Ecuadorian Cloud Forest, Ashley Schlinger

Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation

Ecuadorian cloud forests are crucial water sources and biodiversity hotspots, often inhabited by various butterfly species. However, as telltale bioindicators, butterfly populations react to changes in their environment by demonstrating fluctuations in their abundance (Horn, 2017). Changes to the environment are often induced in the present day through human impact, such as the installation of agricultural land, deforestation, ecotourism, and the residual effects of climate change caused by these activities. This study aimed to investigate butterfly abundance and species diversity in La Hesperia Cloud Forest Reserve in the western slope of the Ecuadorian Andes and the response of butterfly assemblages …

Pollinator Networks In Ecosystems Edges: Structural Differences And The Role Of Vegetation Characteristics In The Ecuadorian Chocó, Megan Kamper

Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation

Because of the importance of pollination for both natural ecosystems and the global food system, many studies have been conducted to understand plant-pollinator networks and how they respond to disturbances. This study compared network structures of edge areas of three habitats in the Ecuadorian Chocó-Andino región: a road, river, and forest and evaluated correlations between vegetation characteristics and pollinator richness. In each site, plant species and floral abundance were recorded along a 50m transect. Each flowering plant was observed for five minutes for insect visitors and data was used to construct bipartite networks. Results show that, as is characteristic of …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Albufeira Convention In A Time Of Water Uncertainty: The Case Of The Guadiana Basin, Hudson Sizemore

Portugal: Sustainability and Environmental Justice

This study evaluates the Albufeira Convention’s effectiveness in managing transboundary water resources in the Guadiana River Basin under increasing water scarcity. The primary objectives are to assess the Convention's capacity to balance ecological preservation with competing agricultural and municipal water demands, and to identify areas for improvement in its implementation. The research uses a qualitative methodology, relying on a systematic review of media, policy, and academic sources, supplemented by a structured SWOT analysis to organize findings and provide actionable insights. The analysis reveals that while the Convention fosters cooperation between Portugal and Spain, it falls short in addressing evolving hydrological …

Thirst For Power: Exploring The Impact Of The 2023 Israel-Gaza War On The Jordanian Water Crisis, Lucas Geromini

Jordan: Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action

This study examines the impact of the 2023 Israel-Gaza War on Jordan’s escalating water crisis, a challenge compounded by rapid population growth, climate change, and regional geopolitics. Jordan, one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, relies heavily on transboundary water-sharing agreements, particularly with Israel. However, the war has intensified tensions between the two countries, disrupting existing agreements and exposing Jordan’s vulnerability to Israel’s hydro-hegemony. Through qualitative research, including interviews with Jordanian experts in water policy, environmental studies, and geopolitics, the study explores three key themes: Israel’s dominance over regional water resources, the domestic and international pressures constraining Jordan’s …

A Green Exercise Lifestyle: The Relationship Between Outdoor Exercise, Nature Connection, And Pro-Environmental Behavior, Carolyn Casey

Australia: Sustainability and Environmental Action

This study investigates the hypothesized relationship between green exercise, nature connection, and pro-environmental behavior, exploring how engagement in outdoor exercise influences individuals' environmental attitudes and behaviors. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through surveys, interviews, and personal reflection. Findings reveal that outdoor exercise participants exhibit equal or stronger connections to nature and higher levels of pro-environmental behavior than their indoor counterparts– nature connection scores for outdoor groups were consistently equal to or higher than those of indoor groups, and their pro-environmental behavior scores significantly surpassed indoor groups. Subgroup trends highlighted unique patterns, such as a productivity-driven focus among pool …

Exploring Sustainability In The Fashion Industry: A Comparative Study Of Melbourne-Based Brands, Annabel Nemeth

Australia: Sustainability and Environmental Action

As the Australian fashion industry continues to grow, the environmental and social consequences of its rapid expansion are becoming increasingly unsustainable. The “fast fashion” model, driven by overproduction, overconsumption, and disposable culture, has led to significant waste, the depletion of natural resources, and the exploitation of workers in developing countries. In response to these issues, sustainable fashion practices have gained attention as a potential solution. This study investigates the sustainability efforts of four Australian fashion brands: Kara Baker Couture, Par Moi, Kuwaii, and Elk the Label. This study focuses on their use of sustainable materials, ethical production processes, and strategies …

Exploring Sustainable Strategies For Businesses In Byron Bay, Jackson Davies

Australia: Sustainability and Environmental Action

The presence of sustainability within business is a rapidly growing concept. As public awareness of sustainability grows, businesses need to adapt to fulfill the wants of their customers. However, the implementation of sustainability is accompanied by many hardships. This research paper aims to understand the presence of sustainability within the businesses of the Byron Bay area, analyze how sustainable efforts may be working or failing within these businesses, and theorize how sustainability may be better implemented in the businesses in ways that can not only make the business more environmentally friendly but also generate revenue. To properly accomplish this task, …

Seizing The Moment: Climate Mainstreaming In The Ethekwini Municipality And Lessons On Leveraging Major Events, Xenia Ellis

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Abstract

With the significant threat that climate change poses to societies across the world and specifically those in the Global South such as the eThekwini municipality, urgent and comprehensive action is necessary to mitigate and adapt to the devastating effects of climate change. Climate mainstreaming, which is the process of integrating climate strategies into all policies, plans, investments, decisions, and implementation in a government, is essential to addressing the issue. Existing literature has emphasized this importance, however, there has been minimal study of the process within the eThekwini municipality. This study aims to fill that gap and build an understanding …

Harvesting Connections: A Creative Documentary On Sustainable Food Practices & Community In The Byron Shire, Abigail Wadkins-Daub

Australia: Sustainability and Environmental Action

This research explores the intersection of sustainable food practices and community connection in the Byron Shire, New South Wales Australia. This study specifically focuses on how practices such as composting, organic agriculture, farmers markets, and shared meals encourage both environmental well-being and social bonds. This project is presented as a 21 minute documentary titled Harvesting Connections, which included five semi-structured interviews with community members, including local farmers, home gardeners, market managers, and community garden leaders. Interviews were conducted over a five week period in November 2024, with participants including Sharon Gibson, Dave Forrest, Sue Mangan, Allie Godfrey, and Ahbi. These …

Effects Of Land-Use Types On Avian Functional Diversity In Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania, Ava Joan Boettiger

Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology

This research examined avian abundance and functional diversity across four human land uses— monoculture, mixed farming, rural, and urban areas—in the Kilimanjaro Region of Northern Tanzania. Conducted in November 2024, the study aimed to assess how different land-use types influence avian composition and functional diversity. A quasi-experimental design was employed, using purposive sampling to select study sites and systematic random sampling point counts to observe bird species present in each land-use type. A literature review was also conducted to classify species into families and categorize them into functional feeding guilds: predators, insectivores, frugivores, granivores, and nectarivores. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, …

Maine School Of Wonder: Developing A School For Earth Skills And Sustainability In Maine, Leigha Hart

Capstone Collection

This research project explores the feasibility of establishing an earth skills and spirituality school in Maine, examining pertinent literature on adult environmental education, contemporary notions of work and leisure, earth-centered spirituality, and sustainable development. The study draws insights from interviews conducted with four distinct organizations across Maine engaged in similar initiatives. These include two farms hosting community events and workshops, alongside two retreat centers dedicated to fostering personal growth and skills development. These interviews provide diverse perspectives on the operational dynamics, required resources, and necessary skills for launching a new school aimed at creating inclusive, engaging, and sustainable learning environments …

Solar Photovoltaics As Climate Change Adaptations For Farmers In West Bengal, India: Barriers Within A Food-Water-Energy Nexus Approach, Emily Rochford

Capstone Collection

This capstone research project seeks to identify and address barriers to the use of solar photovoltaics (PV) as an adaptation method to climate change for farmers in West Bengal, India. These barriers are examined within the context of the food-water-energy nexus, particularly concerning the ability of many small holder farmers to produce their own food and sustain their livelihoods. Previous studies have examined both energy access and renewable energy development in West Bengal, and also the food-water-energy nexus in its application to climate change. However, there is minimal literature on how renewable energy development should be applied within the nexus …

A Lifetime Of Climate Changes: Female Farmers' Perceptions Of Climate Change Impacts To Well-Being And Livelihood In Antigua And Barbuda, Jamie Matthews

Capstone Collection

This capstone project emphasizes the value of smallholder farmers working on small island developing states (SIDS) in an era of climate change—with a particular focus on female farmers in light of the global feminization of agriculture. This research study engaged female farmers living in Antigua and Barbuda, a SIDS in the Caribbean, to capture their perceptions of climate risks and the impacts climate change has had on their well-being and livelihood. Qualitative data was collected via life history interviews (LHI), as well as focus group discussions (FGD). These methodologies addressed the primary questions of this research: (i) How do female …

Global Portraits From A Changing Climate: The Influence Of Environmental Storytelling On The Climate Narrative, Alexandra Welch

Capstone Collection

Environmental Storytelling can influence the climate narrative and serve as a catalyst to structurally alter how individuals think about the environment. The medium of the “Eco-film” allows viewers to create intimate connections with the natural world, and in turn alter how individuals engage and perceive issues like climate change. To combat climate denialism this project showcases different hopeful stories in a deliverable video collection, called “Global Portraits from a Changing Climate”. Two of these videos will be filmed in Germany, featuring the Waldrapp Team Research and Conservation project. One of the videos from Waldrapp Team will touch on the social …

Living Dead Forests: Assessing Detrital Services In Puget Sound Pseudotsuga Menziesii Ecosystems, Forrest Becker

Capstone Collection

Coarse woody debris (CWD), the detrital result of down wood recruitment, contributes to wildlife habitat, nutrient cycling, morphological processes like soil formation, and each forest’s sense of place but if undermanaged can fuel wildfires or obstruct stakeholder use. Despite its ubiquity in Puget Sound Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forests in Washington, USA, few studies quantify the exact ecosystem services which down wood provides. This study seeks to understand how forest managers can estimate the ecosystem services of down wood and how human communities perceive down wood management between community, public, and private Douglas fir (P. menziesii) …

Deconstructing Disability In Malawi: A Multi-Perspective Qualitative Study On Understandings, Policy Development, And Policy Implementation, Johanna Lee

Capstone Collection

Disability models serve as frameworks to conceptualize understandings of disabilities, influencing the creation of policies and programs. The United Nations, through the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), has established international standards influenced by disability models from the Global North. Despite Malawi’s efforts to adopt the CRPD through numerous measures, people with disabilities still face challenges in accessing healthcare. The effectiveness of current policies in the health sector remains unclear. Therefore, it is crucial to consider local perspectives on disabilities, as well as differences in culture and livelihoods. This research employs thematic analysis to assess the perceptions …

White-Fronted Capuchins (Cebus Albifrons Aequatorialis) In La Hesperia Cloud Forest Reserve: A Study Of Aggressive Behaviors In Response To Human Presence, Marin Lynch

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Ecuadorian white-fronted capuchin, Cebus albifrons aequatorialis, is a critically endangered primate species native to Ecuador and northern Peru. Their population consists of only a handful of surviving troops spread out across this region. One surviving population exists in La Hesperia Cloud Forest Reserve in Ecuador. This reserve serves as an education and volunteer site for dozens of international travelers every year. I studied the effect of the presence of humans and the lodging they have constructed. Specifically, I investigated the effect on behavior of the proximity of the troops alpha male to manmade structures in the reserve. I …

Lisbon’S Electric Vehicle (Ev) Fleet: A Cost-Benefit Analysis Of A Mass Adoption Of Evs In Lisbon By 2050, Maya Estrera

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

As the impacts of climate change increase, the EU and its member countries are attempting to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The adoption of electric vehicles is proving to be a promising solution to achieve this goal, and specifically, reductions in the transport sector emissions. This study analyzes the potential costs and benefits resulting from a mass adoption of electric vehicles in Lisbon by 2050. Through a cost-benefit analysis, this study aims to quantify the major costs and benefits associated with electric vehicles. The results display the potential monetary benefits of a city-wide shift to electric vehicles in addition to …

Empowering Environmental Education In Portuguese Primary Schools: Energy Focused Curriculum Recommendations And Behavioral Change Framework Guided By Principles Of Developmental Psychology, Ellie Hanson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This paper explores the integration of principles of developmental psychology within the context of environmental education in Portugal to promote pro-environmental behavior, and specifically energy literacy energy conservation behaviors in primary school students. A review of current literature on the state of environmental education approaches in Portugal exhibits a significant lack of structure and direction for educators to teach students relevant topics in sustainability. Using a meta-theory of behavioral change, the present work connects the elements of the COM-B model of behavioral change to relevant aspects of middle childhood cognitive development using principles of two major theories of developmental psychology. …

Short-Term Larval Surveys Reveal Rainy Season Breeding Site Preferences Of Malaria Vector Anopheles Spp. In Zanzibar City, Kaeden K. Hill

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Malaria is a serious illness that causes over 500,000 deaths annually worldwide, with Tanzania alone contributing to approximately 4% of those deaths. Malaria is caused by Plasmodium spp. parasites, and it is vectored by mosquitoes in the Anopheles genus. In Zanzibar City, the incidence of malaria has decreased over the past few decades due to standardized treatment protocols and public health interventions targeting adult mosquitoes. However, the incidence remains between 1-2%, with an increasing trend observed over the past few years likely stemming from continued exchange of Plasmodium spp. from other malaria-endemic areas. Because larvicidal strategies can be useful in …

Sovereign Seeds: Analyzing The Sustainability Of Peasant Seeds In The Context Of Climate Change And Rural Exodus In Tunisia, Alice Carlson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

How sustainable are peasant seeds? I answer this question on the basis of three elements: environment, economy, and social justice. Using interviews with farmers from various regions of Tunisia, an interview with an expert on climate change and migration, and an interview with a civil society organization working to promote sustainable agriculture, I found that peasant seeds are a sustainable solution for a suffering agricultural sector. Depleted water sources and drought are bringing to light the problems with water-intensive hybrid seeds, and farmers are losing money. As young men increasingly leave the agricultural sector, women are left behind, finding themselves …